PORT ST. LUCIE, FL (July 18, 2007) – Jim and
Maria McKenzie of Port St. Lucie recently donated $50,000 to assist
teachers and professional support staff from St. Lucie County
Public Schools who are working toward their undergraduate degrees
from FAU in preparation for initial state teacher
certification. This is an extension of an existing
scholarship that was established in a collaborative effort between
FAU and the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce. Over the
past two years, the scholarship has provided tuition assistance to
more than 30 aspiring teachers.

“This scholarship program embraces the ‘growing our own
workforce’ philosophy,” said Jim. “My wife and I
were very interested in this opportunity to build a strong base of
new teachers, to aid in the local critical teacher shortage and to
help secure the educational futures of children in St. Lucie
County.”

Jim McKenzie, president of Labor Finders/LF Staffing in Port St.
Lucie, is very involved in area education. He actively serves
on the FAU Treasure Coast Campus Advisory Board, FAU Treasure Coast
Corporate Partners and the St. Lucie County Chamber Foundation
Board. Jim is also proactive in the local business community as a
board member for many organizations, including the St. Lucie County
Chamber of Commerce, the Workforce Development Board of the
Treasure Coast and the St. Lucie County Economic Development
Council.

Jim and Maria have lived in Port St. Lucie for 15 years.
“Through our involvement with the school system, civic
organizations and business associations, we recognized the need for
this type of scholarship support,” said Jim.

“By building a strong tradition of tuition assistance
programs, Florida Atlantic University is opening more doors for
more students,” said Gerri McPherson, FAU Treasure Coast
Campus vice president. “We sincerely thank Jim and
Maria McKenzie for creating a scholarship that will have a
far-reaching, positive impact on the local school
district.”